it. Frederic's ancestors had assumed the style of Princes of
Otranto, from the death of Alfonso the Good without issue; but
Manfred, his father, and grandfather, had been too powerful for the
house of Vicenza to dispossess them. Frederic, a martial and
amorous young Prince, had married a beautiful young lady, of whom
he was enamoured, and who had died in childbed of Isabella. Her
death affected him so much that he had taken the cross and gone to
the Holy Land, where he was wounded in an engagement against the
infidels, made prisoner, and reported to be dead. When the news
reached Manfred's ears, he bribed the guardians of the Lady
Isabella to deliver her up to him as a bride for his son Conrad, by
which alliance he had proposed to unite the claims of the two
houses. This motive, on Conrad's death, had co-operated to make
him so suddenly resolve on espousing her himself; and the same
reflection determined him now to endeavour at obtaining the consent
of Frederic to this marriage. A like policy inspired him with the
thought of inviting Frederic's champion into the castle, lest he
should be informed of Isabella's flight, which he strictly enjoined
his domestics not to disclose to any of the Knight's retinue.

"Herald," said Manfred, as soon as he had digested these
reflections, "return to thy master, and tell him, ere we liquidate
our differences by the sword, Manfred would hold some converse with
him. Bid him welcome to my castle, where by my faith, as I am a
true Knight, he shall have courteous reception, and full security
for himself and followers. If we cannot adjust our quarrel by
amicable means, I swear he shall depart in safety, and shall have
full satisfaction according to the laws of arms: So help me God
and His holy Trinity!"